Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has left an indelible mark on the world of art and culture. The 85-year-old creative, who was a pivotal figure in shaping the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, passed away recently.
Born in New York to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's life was deeply rooted in the city's vibrant artistic scene. He attended the School of Industrial Art and was drawn to photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955. This encounter sparked a passion for photography that would eventually lead him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe.
Through AJASS, Brathwaite began using his photography as a tool to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He focused on capturing images of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, who were celebrated for their natural features. His work from this period, including photographs taken at the 1962 "Naturally '62" fashion show, showcased his commitment to promoting Black identity and self-love.
Brathwaite's photography style was characterized by its use of a Hasselblad medium-format camera, which allowed him to capture images with depth and nuance. He also developed a darkroom technique that enhanced the visual narrative of his photographs, particularly when it came to depicting Black skin.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. His photography was not limited to music, however, as he also documented historic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest from curators, historians, and collectors. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles before touring across the country.
Tragically, Brathwaite's own health began to decline, forcing him to miss interviews and limiting his ability to continue working on new projects. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on through his body of work, which continues to inspire and educate audiences around the world. A recent exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago celebrates his contributions to American photography, offering a glimpse into the life and career of this extraordinary artist and activist.
Brathwaite's passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on the art world will be felt for generations to come. As he once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." His photographs continue to capture the essence of Black culture and identity, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of celebrating and preserving our collective heritage.
Born in New York to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's life was deeply rooted in the city's vibrant artistic scene. He attended the School of Industrial Art and was drawn to photography after encountering David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955. This encounter sparked a passion for photography that would eventually lead him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe.
Through AJASS, Brathwaite began using his photography as a tool to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He focused on capturing images of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, who were celebrated for their natural features. His work from this period, including photographs taken at the 1962 "Naturally '62" fashion show, showcased his commitment to promoting Black identity and self-love.
Brathwaite's photography style was characterized by its use of a Hasselblad medium-format camera, which allowed him to capture images with depth and nuance. He also developed a darkroom technique that enhanced the visual narrative of his photographs, particularly when it came to depicting Black skin.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite worked with numerous jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone. His photography was not limited to music, however, as he also documented historic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in interest from curators, historians, and collectors. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles before touring across the country.
Tragically, Brathwaite's own health began to decline, forcing him to miss interviews and limiting his ability to continue working on new projects. Nevertheless, his legacy lives on through his body of work, which continues to inspire and educate audiences around the world. A recent exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago celebrates his contributions to American photography, offering a glimpse into the life and career of this extraordinary artist and activist.
Brathwaite's passing marks the end of an era, but his impact on the art world will be felt for generations to come. As he once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." His photographs continue to capture the essence of Black culture and identity, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of celebrating and preserving our collective heritage.
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing, what a loss for art & culture 
he was more than just a photographer, his work changed the game when it came to showcasing Black beauty & identity 
those Grandassa Models were trailblazers, and Brathwaite's lens helped put them on the map 
his collabs with jazz legends are still giving us life, and I'm obsessed with his use of the Hasselblad camera 
can't believe we won't be seeing new work from him 
he captured the essence of black identity and self-love in a way that's still relevant today. his work is not just about beauty standards but about challenging the norm and promoting pride in our culture 
I'm so grateful for his legacy and can't believe he's gone 
his photography style was everything - from the use of a Hasselblad to his darkroom technique, it was all so raw and honest. and let's not forget about all the jazz legends he worked with 
his work is still giving us life and I know his legacy will continue to inspire future generations 
i love how he used photography as a tool to challenge beauty standards, it's like he knew we were more than just our skin tone 
anyway, his legacy will live on through his art and the ppl he inspired 
kwame brathwaite's legacy is still giving me life 
his work is like a time capsule of black culture and identity, showing us how beautiful we've always been 
i love how his photography challenged eurocentric beauty standards and promoted self-love and acceptance 
his collaboration with jazz legends was dope too 
it's sad that he's no longer with us, but his work is still inspiring a new generation of artists and activists 
his photography is timeless i mean who else can capture the essence of black culture in the 60s and still be relevant today? 
It's crazy how his photography can transport you to another time and place... I mean, those pics of Miles Davis and John Coltrane are straight fire 
His photography style might have been old-school, but the message remains timeless... You can still see it in all these modern artists who are carrying on his legacy 
, but his legacy is gonna keep on inspiring people for years to come 
. but seriously, the way he used photography as a tool to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote Black identity and self-love? game changing